Gangai Amaran reveals a secret about Maestro

It appears that celebrities can do and say anything and get away with it. Far from being responsible in their comments, they end up making controversial statements which only help them stay in the news for a few days. Gangai Amaran, younger brother of Maestro Ilaiyaraaja has one such comment on the Maestro.

In his late sixties now, Gangai Amaran makes his acting debut through film-maker Rama Narayanan’s Arya Surya and took part in the meet-the-press event held in connection with the film. Speaking on the occasion, Amaran had said “I have acted on several occasions in the past in my real life…this is the first time I have acted in front of the camera.

“In those days, I was made fun of by many who would pull me down by saying I was only ‘lifting’ tunes composed by Ilaiyaraaja. It’s indeed true that I have copied many tunes by my brother and composed some memorable songs myself. Not many are aware that Ilaiyaraaja has also taken inspiration from tunes composed by M.S. Viswanathan. Except me and Ilaiyaraaja, nobody is aware of this.

“We have all grown listening to Ilaiyaraaja’s songs. Having said that, I should add that certain issues are best kept as secrets. One can become big only if he gets the right opportunity at the right time and makes best use of the same. When Ilaiyaraaja descended on the scene, it was said that he could compose only folk songs but he silenced his critics by composing western songs in Sigappu Rojakkal. His carnatic music-based songs in Sindhu Bairavi have made even the severest of critics his fans,” concluded Amaran.